[Poster's note: Long repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed.]

UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Friday, 13 January 2006

National Media Reports

President Gusmão discuss new UN mission with SRSG Dr Hasegawa and border incident with Indonesian Ambassador

After his meeting with President Xanana Gusmão, SRSG Dr Sukehiro Hasegawa said that the President Gusmão, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the National Parliament, will soon discuss and determine whether a new mission is necessary for Timor-Leste when UNOTIL ends it mandate, Timor Post reported. He added that Timor-Leste can propose a new mission when UNOTIL mission ends in May 20th 2006. Dr Hasegawa also invited President Gusmão to make his presence in the up-coming UN Security Council on January 23. When asked about the border incident, Dr Hasegawa responded by saying, "it is the responsibility of the police not to allow people to enter Timor-Leste's territory illegally". Despite that statement, the Chief of UNOTIL made an appeal to PNTL to be more careful, but he added that "police have a right to protect themselves". Dr Hasegawa said that UNOTIL is ready to do its best to support Timor-Leste in undertaking a joint investigation with Indonesia. STL's also featured the meeting between President Gusmão and Indonesian Ambassador, Ahmed Sofwan on Thursday, January 12. The report noted that both President Gusmão and the Indonesian Ambassador shared a discussion surrounding the border incident, touching on such issues as repatriation of the two death corpses and the agreed joint investigation. Ambassador Sofwan also confirmed to media that "President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hopes the incident will not disrupt bilateral ties of both countries and reconciliation process should be continued". " I hope this incident won't repeat itself in the near future", added Ambassador Sofwan. (STL)

Opposition parties: Although Greater Sunrise agreement is signed, it would still depend on ratification by T-Leste National Parliament

Timor Post reported that Democratic Party (Partido Democratico - PD), Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democratica - PSD) and Associação Timorese Social Democratic Association (Social Democratica Timoresence - ASDT) declared jointly that despite the signing of the Agreement by both Governments on the exploration of Greater Sunrise, politically speaking, the Agreement still depends on ratification by both countries' National Parliaments. The report added that the three opposition parties, civil society and Timor-Leste National Parliament, would try to carefully understand the agreement before casting their "vote of consciousness" to say "no" in regards to the agreement ratification. (TP p1&15)

Correia: Illegal detainment of lawyers will weaken judicial system

The Timor-Leste Lawyers Association (AATL) is very disappointed with the Police Task Force and UIR regarding the arrest of the two lawyers Angelo Neves and Mario de Sousa Lay (deceased). According to the President of AATL Benevides Correia Barros, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, these unconstitutional actions do not help in establishing a strong judicial system. He said that the police actions were not based upon a court order, and this, therefore threatens the value of justice in a democratic country such as Timor-Leste. He added, that the illegal detainment of the two lawyers also threatens the lawyers' profession in general, by restricting their work. (TP)

Monteiro: Pipeline location in jeopardy

The Timor-Leste Government's ratification of the Timor Sea Accord with Australia to split the revenue from the Greater Sunrise Oil Field, without a determination of the location of the pipeline and the LNG plant in the Accord, will make it very difficult for Timor-Leste to later convince the concerned companies and the Australian Government to bring the pipeline to Timor-Leste. According to the Advisor to the President on Natural Resources, Francisco Monteiro, the pipeline issue should have been included in the Accord. The fact that the IUA, also ratified, only assigns 20 percent authority to the Timor Sea Designated Authority also means that it will be very difficult for Timor-Leste to later demand that the pipeline and the LNG Plant be located in Timor-Leste. (TP)

MP Branco: Fretilin prepare congress to readjust political cadres

In preparation for the upcoming congress on 20 May, Fretilin is readjusting its political cadres in the districts, especially in the sub-villages, the head of Fretilin in the Parliament, Francisco Branco told the media on Thursday. Branco said the adjustment is to decide on the number of delegates to the Congress due to the high percentage of militants. He pointed out that Baucau District hold the large number of militants with a lesser number in the Districts of Ermera and Ainaro. (TP)

Coverage on Fernando La Sama statements on PM Alkatiri

Speaking to media following the joint statement by his party with ASDT and PD, the President of Partidu Demokratiku, Fernando La Sama was reported to have accused PM Alkatiri of rushing to sign the agreement with the Australian Government due to certain undisclosed agreements with companies contracted for the exploration oil resources with alleged kick backs. (STL)

Joint Declaration Against Signing of Greater Sunrise

Three political parties from the opposition namely Partido Democratico (PD) Partido Social Democratica (PSD) and Associação Social Democratica Timoresence (ASDT) held a press conference on Thursday to protest the signing of the Agreement of the Greater Sunrise. According to reports, the parties made the following main points :

1 The Agreement does not serve the national interest and the people of Timor-Leste.

2. There was a lack of transparency during the negotiations from the start to the end. Information was never provide to the National Parliament as per article 107 of the Constitution (Government will answer to the President of RDTL and the National Parliament on how the internal and external policy is being executed).

3. There are concerns that the delay of "Sine dia" regarding negotiations to establish maritime boundaries between Timor-Leste and Australia will be a big disadvantage to Timor-Leste, because problems on legitimacy rights on the Exclusive Economic zone will emerge.

4. Parties demand that the government of RDTL not loose the rights of Timor-Leste zone in the Exclusive Economic zone and must insist that Australia continue to negotiate to find an urgent and fair solution to define the maritime boundaries of the Timor Sea.

5. Parties appeal to all Members of Parliament to put the national interest first rather than partisan or individual interests and to "vote with consciousness" to say "no" in regards to the agreement ratification.

6. Parties appeal to the civil society and people of Timor-Leste to publicly condemn the actions of this Government

7 Parties appeal to the Government of Australia to be just and respect the existing international treaties on rights. As a large, rich country that does not need the revenue from the Timor Gap, Australia still wants to take away the maritime resources that T-L is depending on totally to alleviate poverty and other vulnerable situations facing Timor-Leste.

8. Lastly, parties appeal to the beloved friends of Australia to convince the Government, which they've elected themselves, to respect the rights and sovereignty of Timor-Leste. And, to again help Timorese population in their fight for their rights and wealth that could free the population of the hunger, sickness and misery. (STL)

TVTL News Monitoring 12-01-2006

Ø Parliamentary Commissions discussed budget: Seven Commissions of the National Parliament held a meeting to discuss the parliamentary budget on Thursday. Following the discussion, the Commissions decided to summon the Minister for Planning and Finance to discuss ratification of the budget of the Government. TVTL further reported that the Minister was unable to attend the meeting and was represented by the Vice-Minister.

Ø AATL will file a report to the Government and UNOTIL: The Associasaun Advogado Timor-Leste (ATTL) stated that the arrest of two private lawyers, Angelo Neves and Mario Lay, by the police was illegal. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the President of Benevides Correia said that the police action was an indirect threat and intimidation to the judicial system in Timor-Leste and is in breach of the Constitution.

Ø Intimidation by the Orsenaco group in Ainaro: From the Suco of Sorokraik, of Ainaro sub-district, TVTL reported that the population of the suco is not living a peaceful life due to the presence of Orsenaco group's members. Speaking to TVTL via telephone on Thursday, the PNTL District Commander of Ainaro, Octavio de Araujo reportedly said police have received complaints that the group has carried out such illegal activities as intimidation and banning the population from taking part in Government programs. Araujo further asserted that the Police will take measures to prevent the group from disturbing the population.

Ø Munitions handed over to Police in Baucau: More than one hundred bullets were voluntarily handed over to the police in Baucau. The bullets were allegedly found by a community member from Aldeia Wainiki Suco Bahu, Baucau in a cave near the village. Speaking to TVTL reporter via telephone, Baucau PNTL District Commander, Pedro Belo said that the police would not investigate or arrest anyone who voluntarily handed over any military materials to them. Instead, he added, the police thanks and congratulates the population for their contribution to the security of this country.

Ø Agung Laksono demands for apology: Reacting to the recent killing of three Indonesian citizens at the border region with Timor-Leste, it was reported that the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, Agung Laksono demanded an apology from Timor-Leste Government to the Indonesian people. Laksono also reportedly insisted that the two Governments should immediately form a joint investigation team to find the perpetrators of the killings.

Regional Media Reports

National News Sources Timor Post (TP) Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional Seminario Lia Foun (LF) Televisaun Timor-Leste [TVTL]

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office

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